Minu Eesti mõttetalgud 1 May think tanks PR materials Web banner Logo Print materials Interviews Press materials Governance culture The word minister originally meant someone who serves another Today n ot everyone has a positive opinion of officials in positions of power Governance culture will only improve in Estonia if the relationship between the electorate and the politicians they vote for is taken to a new level where the key word is cooperation This is the only way that ordinary people will trust those in power and the only way that they in turn will realise that the what the people want and ask for is both just and justified Example questions 1 How can we improve governance culture Can we ourselves change it for the better by keeping up to date with what is happening and having our say We have to be able to believe that the votes we cast in elections are actually important and will bring about tangible change 2 How can we make the law comprehensible to average people 3 How can people get involved in governance 4 How can we provide people with information that is important to them such as ways of applying for European aid

Minu Eesti mõttetalgud 15 Mobility and transportation 16 City life 17 Country life 18 Using our natural resources 19 Local topic 1 May think tanks PR materials Web banner Logo Print materials Interviews Press materials Mobility and transportation It s a small world has never been truer than it is today Who needs a supersonic jet when they can hold a trans Atlantic video conference in real time over Skype Estonia is one of the pioneers in contemporary communications technology We re proud of it and rightly so but we mustn t forget the traditional channels of movement and communication The public Internet point in a municipal library is of no use to anyone if there s no longer a bus to take them there Our living environment is the way it should be if our public transport is quick and comfortable there is a well planned network of bike tracks distance work is a routine part of daily life and no one is confused at the mere mention of information technology Example questions 1 How can we combine physical mobility with the mobility of the information society 2 How can we improve transport options in rural centres 3 How can we integrate

Minu Eesti mõttetalgud than a generation Shopping centres highrises and new apartment buildings have sprung up all over its cities without any planning having taken place of an integrated city environment in which it s nice to live Now is the time to adapt to the situation we ve found ourselves in New housing estates have to be places people can truly live in not suburban ghettos we screw our noses up at People who happen to live in the same building must become neighbours in the best possible sense of the word doing their bit for their apartment block and their area as a whole City people should feel at home everywhere in the city not just in their own apartment once they ve locked the front door behind them Example questions 1 How can we ensure the quality of public space Planning has been left up to those with private capital and it hasn t produced the results people were hoping for What should public space be like These days in Tallinn for example more and more buildings are going up without any thought for history or heritage and without any extra green space being provided A city environment is only truly complete if it provides playgrounds for children to run around in parks for people to stroll in sporting opportunities for residents and not just ones they have to pay for and parking spaces for people who need them 2 How can we find out about and have a say in the development of our living environment 3 How can we increase the proportion of art in our social space 4 How can local governments or other government clients be role models for develop activity 5 How can we ensure the creation of an innovative living environment in future We

Minu Eesti mõttetalgud transportation 16 City life 17 Country life 18 Using our natural resources 19 Local topic 1 May think tanks PR materials Web banner Logo Print materials Interviews Press materials Country life For years rural life has been presented as the preserve of oddbods or the lot of the feckless In fact the countryside has long been home to hard working decent people the bright lights of the big city leave cold and it is attracting more and more cityfolk It is thanks to the toils of rural residents that Estonia is the country it is today one where country life is making a comeback complete with its unique ways of business combining ancient customs and modern technology Not that this means every single problem has been overcome there remains a lot to do in rural areas and a lot to improve from modernising local transport systems and creating jobs to providing access to schools and hobbies and catering to people s cultural needs All things that make life worthwhile Example questions 1 How can we give life in rural areas a shot in the arm What else do we need to do to make sure that rural life doesn t die out but instead becomes an integral part of an enterprising and innovative Estonia Village life will disappear if we don t provide the services that are needed postal services banking shops GPs jobs et al using innovative solutions 2 How can village groups and other local community associations meet the development needs of their areas 3 How can make country residents make smart and sensible use of rural aid 4 How can we restore the faith of country people in the honesty of the state and its politicians 5 How can we put a stop to personal gain among

Minu Eesti mõttetalgud cooperation 9 Self confidence trust and positivism 10 Values and culture 11 Education and lifelong learning 12 Creativity openness and spirit of innovation 13 Governance culture 14 Natural treasures 15 Mobility and transportation 16 City life 17 Country life 18 Using our natural resources 19 Local topic 1 May think tanks PR materials Web banner Logo Print materials Interviews Press materials Using our natural resources Judicious use of natural resources is one of today s burning issues We re aware of the fact that a lot of our natural environment is irreplaceable and that once it s gone there s no getting it back That s why we re being a lot more careful and economical even if just by using less water or recycling our rubbish To a large extent our local natural resources form the basis of our economic development lots were used during the building boom and our energy supplies come from oil shale All this has an impact on the environment we live and work in every day It s up to us to make sure that Estonia still has both a natural environment and natural resources in the future Example questions 1 How can we

Minu Eesti mõttetalgud brainstorning topics 1 Home family and future generations 2 Healthy and active old age 3 Safety security and taking care of others 4 Coping with stress 5 Health sport and worthwile recreation 6 Business and Employment 7 Estonia s image 8 Joint action and cooperation 9 Self confidence trust and positivism 10 Values and culture 11 Education and lifelong learning 12 Creativity openness and spirit of innovation 13 Governance culture 14 Natural treasures 15 Mobility and transportation 16 City life 17 Country life 18 Using our natural resources 19 Local topic 1 May think tanks PR materials Web banner Logo Print materials Interviews Press materials Local topic The aim of the local issue is primarily to talk together to come up with a workable solution to a local problem The coordinator who is aware of the local situation raises key issues For example you can work together to come up with ideas about how to organise local transport amongst yourselves using your own resources or how to build a traditional swing area for the village It s a good idea to discuss these issues and add your thoughts to the forum prior to the think tanks on May 1st A